Escambia County, Alabama

Escambia County is a county located in the south central portion of the U.S. state of Alabama. As of the 2020 census, the population was 36,757.[1] Its county seat is Brewton.[2]

This article is about the county in Alabama. For the county in Florida, see Escambia County, Florida. For the river, see Escambia River.

Escambia County
County
Escambia County, Alabama Courthouse
Escambia County, Alabama Courthouse
Map of Alabama highlighting Escambia County
Location within the U.S. state of Alabama
Map of the United States highlighting Alabama
Alabama's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 31°07′36″N 87°09′44″W
Country United States
State Alabama
FoundedDecember 10, 1868
SeatBrewton
Largest cityAtmore
Area
 • Total953 sq mi (2,470 km2)
 • Land945 sq mi (2,450 km2)
 • Water8.1 sq mi (21 km2)  0.8%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total36,757
 • Estimate 
(2022)
36,666 Decrease
 • Density39/sq mi (15/km2)
Time zoneUTC−6 (Central)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional districts1st, 2nd
Websitewww.co.escambia.al.us
  • County Number 30 on Alabama license plates

Escambia County is coextensive with the Atmore, AL Micropolitan Statistical Area; which is itself a constituent part of the larger Pensacola-Ferry Pass, FL-AL Combined Statistical Area. [3]

The county is the base of the state's only federally recognized Native American tribe, the Poarch Band of Creek Indians. They have developed gaming casinos and a hotel on their reservation here, but also a much larger business extending to locations in other states and the Caribbean.

Etymology

The name "Escambia" may have been derived from the Creek name Shambia, meaning "clearwater",[4] or the Choctaw word for "cane-brake" or "reed-brake".[5]

History

Historic American Indian tribes in the area included the Muskogean-speaking Creek, Choctaw, and Alabama, who had inhabited the lands for centuries and had many settlements. The former two tribes were among those in the Southeast whom the European-American settlers called the Five Civilized Tribes, as they adopted some European-American cultural ways. Many of their members had close working relationships with traders and settlers moving into the area in the early 19th century. Most of these nations were forced to cede their lands to the United States and to remove in the 1830s to Indian Territory west of the Mississippi River.

Escambia County was organized and established after the American Civil War, on December 10, 1868, during the Reconstruction era. The state legislature created it from parts of Baldwin and Conecuh counties, to the west and north, respectively. The area was part of the coastal plain. It was largely agricultural into the 20th century.

The county is subject to heavy winds and rains due to seasonal hurricanes. In September 1979, the county was declared a disaster area due to damage from Hurricane Frederic. It was declared a disaster area again in September 2004 due to damage from Hurricane Ivan.

In the 20th century, the Poarch Band of Creek Indians organized to gain recognition as a tribe, and established a government under a written constitution. It had control of some lands that were taken into trust on their behalf by the federal government as part of the federal recognition process. It is the only federally recognized tribe in the state. Since the late 20th century, they have developed three gaming resorts to generate revenues for tribal health and welfare.

In addition, Alabama has recognized nine tribes, generally descendants of Choctaw, Creek, and Cherokee Native Americans who had historically lived here.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 953 square miles (2,470 km2), of which 945 square miles (2,450 km2) is land and 8.1 square miles (21 km2) (0.8%) is water.[6]

Major highways

Adjacent counties

Escambia County in Alabama and Escambia County in Florida are two of 22 counties or parishes in the United States with the same name to border each other across state lines.

National protected area

Demographics
Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
18704,041—
18805,71941.5%
18908,66651.5%
190011,32030.6%
191018,88966.9%
192022,46418.9%
193027,96324.5%
194030,6719.7%
195031,4432.5%
196033,5116.6%
197034,9124.2%
198038,44010.1%
199035,518−7.6%
200038,4408.2%
201038,319−0.3%
202036,757−4.1%
2022 (est.)36,666[7]−0.2%
U.S. Decennial Census[8]
1790–1960[9] 1900–1990[10]
1990–2000[11] 2010–2020[1]

2020 census
Escambia County, Alabama – Racial and Ethnic Composition
(NH = Non-Hispanic)
Note: the US Census treats Hispanic/Latino as an ethnic category. This table excludes Latinos from the racial categories and assigns them to a separate category. Hispanics/Latinos may be of any race.
Race / Ethnicity Pop 2000[12] Pop 2010[13] Pop 2020[14] % 2000 % 2010 % 2020
White alone (NH) 24,575 23,508 22,004 63.93% 61.35% 59.86%
Black or African American alone (NH) 11,799 12,162 10,922 30.69% 31.74% 29.71%
Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH) 1,153 1,274 1,488 3.00% 3.32% 4.05%
Asian alone (NH) 93 86 108 0.24% 0.22% 0.29%
Pacific Islander alone (NH) 10 12 22 0.03% 0.03% 0.06%
Some Other Race alone (NH) 25 20 49 0.07% 0.05% 0.13%
Mixed Race/Multi-Racial (NH) 406 539 1,413 1.06% 1.41% 3.84%
Hispanic or Latino (any race) 379 718 751 0.99% 1.87% 2.04%
Total 38,440 38,319 36,757 100.00% 100.00% 100.00%

As of the census of 2020, there were 36,757 people, 13,089 households, and 8,019 families residing in the county.

2010 census

According to the 2010 United States census:

As of 2012 the largest self-reported ancestry groups in Escambia County were:

2000 census

As of the census[15] of 2000, there were 38,440 people, 14,297 households, and 10,093 families residing in the county. The population density was 41 people per square mile (16 people/km2). There were 16,544 housing units at an average density of 18 units per square mile (6.9 units/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 64.40% White, 30.79% Black or African American, 3.01% Native American, 0.24% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.40% from other races, and 1.13% from two or more races. 0.99% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 14,297 households, out of which 32.00% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.70% were married couples living together, 15.10% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.40% were non-families. 26.40% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.40% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.48 and the average family size was 2.99.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 24.10% under the age of 18, 9.70% from 18 to 24, 28.90% from 25 to 44, 23.70% from 45 to 64, and 13.60% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females there were 102.70 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 102.70 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $28,319, and the median income for a family was $36,086. Males had a median income of $30,632 versus $18,091 for females. The per capita income for the county was $14,396. About 15.20% of families and 20.90% of the population were below the poverty line, including 24.70% of those under age 18 and 17.80% of those age 65 or over.

Government and infrastructure

The Holman Correctional Facility of the Alabama Department of Corrections (ADOC) is in Atmore, 9 miles (14 km) north of the Atmore city center.[16][17] Holman has a male death row and the State of Alabama execution chamber.[17] In addition the ADOC Fountain Correctional Facility is also in Atmore, about 7 miles (11 km) north of the Atmore city center.[18] The city of Atmore annexed both prisons in 2008.[19]

Escambia County is reliably Republican at the presidential level. The last Democrat to win the county in a presidential election is Jimmy Carter, who won it by a majority in 1976.

United States presidential election results for Escambia County, Alabama[20]
Year Republican Democratic Third party
No. %No. %No. %
2020 10,869 68.32% 4,918 30.91% 123 0.77%
2016 9,935 66.92% 4,605 31.02% 305 2.05%
2012 9,287 62.35% 5,489 36.85% 118 0.79%
2008 9,375 63.89% 5,188 35.36% 111 0.76%
2004 8,513 68.68% 3,814 30.77% 68 0.55%
2000 6,975 59.82% 4,523 38.79% 162 1.39%
1996 5,214 46.96% 4,651 41.89% 1,239 11.16%
1992 5,955 46.44% 4,809 37.50% 2,060 16.06%
1988 6,807 62.14% 4,020 36.70% 127 1.16%
1984 8,694 68.33% 3,853 30.28% 177 1.39%
1980 6,513 54.04% 5,148 42.71% 392 3.25%
1976 4,934 44.22% 5,957 53.39% 266 2.38%
1972 7,883 82.19% 1,598 16.66% 110 1.15%
1968 680 6.32% 1,492 13.86% 8,593 79.82%
1964 5,623 74.47% 0 0.00% 1,928 25.53%
1960 1,810 30.65% 3,990 67.57% 105 1.78%
1956 1,529 28.85% 3,437 64.86% 333 6.28%
1952 1,187 25.90% 3,385 73.86% 11 0.24%
1948 188 9.99% 0 0.00% 1,694 90.01%
1944 266 11.30% 2,077 88.20% 12 0.51%
1940 137 4.70% 2,772 95.03% 8 0.27%
1936 103 3.82% 2,585 95.81% 10 0.37%
1932 157 7.19% 2,024 92.67% 3 0.14%
1928 1,754 61.94% 1,077 38.03% 1 0.04%
1924 152 10.70% 1,217 85.70% 51 3.59%
1920 178 10.87% 1,455 88.88% 4 0.24%
1916 108 9.88% 982 89.84% 3 0.27%
1912 52 5.37% 829 85.64% 87 8.99%
1908 113 14.27% 641 80.93% 38 4.80%
1904 83 11.54% 627 87.20% 9 1.25%

Communities

Cities

Towns

Unincorporated communities

Former town

Indian reservation

Education

The two school districts are Brewton City School District (City of Brewton) and Escambia County School District (all other locations).[21]

Historic sites

Escambia County has two sites listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the Brewton Historic Commercial District and the Commercial Hotel-Hart Hotel.[22]

Notable residents

See also

References
  1. "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved September 13, 2023.
  2. "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  3. "Pensacola-Ferry Pass, FL-AL CSA". Census Reporter. Retrieved March 28, 2022.
  4. Escambia County Alabama History - accessed August 18, 2009
  5. Alabama Department of Archives and History - accessed August 18, 2009
  6. "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Retrieved August 22, 2015.
  7. "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Counties: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2022". Retrieved September 13, 2023.
  8. "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved August 22, 2015.
  9. "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved August 22, 2015.
  10. Forstall, Richard L., ed. (March 24, 1995). "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved August 22, 2015.
  11. "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. April 2, 2001. Retrieved August 22, 2015.
  12. "P004 HISPANIC OR LATINO, AND NOT HISPANIC OR LATINO BY RACE – 2000: DEC Summary File 1 – Escambia County, Alabama". United States Census Bureau.
  13. "P2 HISPANIC OR LATINO, AND NOT HISPANIC OR LATINO BY RACE – 2010: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Escambia County, Alabama". United States Census Bureau.
  14. "P2 HISPANIC OR LATINO, AND NOT HISPANIC OR LATINO BY RACE - 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Escambia County, Alabama". United States Census Bureau.
  15. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved May 14, 2011.
  16. "Holman Correctional Facility Archived August 8, 2010, at the Wayback Machine." Alabama Department of Corrections. Retrieved on August 15, 2010.
  17. "Annual Report Fiscal Year 2003." Alabama Department of Corrections. 33/84. Retrieved on August 15, 2010.
  18. "Fountain / JO Davis Correctional Facility Archived June 16, 2011, at the Wayback Machine." Alabama Department of Corrections. Retrieved on July 4, 2011.
  19. Prestridge, Adam (August 13, 2008). "City council annexes 7,000 acres". Atmore Advance. Retrieved August 1, 2022.
  20. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". Retrieved November 16, 2016.
  21. "2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Escambia County, AL" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Retrieved August 1, 2022. - Text list
  22. "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. July 9, 2010.

31°07′36″N 87°09′44″W

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